An idea hatched over a few drinks has grown into an event which on Sunday will attract more than 500 cyclists, runners and walkers to Taieri Mouth.
The Coastal Classic, in its seventh year, has branched out this year to include a walk-run race.
Co-organiser Donald Brown said the walk-run was added to entice more entrants to the event, which had comprised only a mountain bike race up to this year.
The walk-run event had already proved popular, with about 200 entered in the race.
There are two circuits - one of 12km and one of 20km. Brown said the longer event was proving popular with marathon and endurance runners.
The event goes over forestry tracks, farm paddocks and beaches, starting and finishing at Livingstonia Park in Taieri Mouth.
There are three mountain bikes races of 15km, 42km, and 62km.
The 42km event was the most popular with competitors. Top Otago cyclist Scott Lyttle won it last year.
Brown and friends had come up for the idea of the race a few years ago after wanting to take advantage of the tracks around Taieri Mouth.
About $20,000 had been raised from the events since they first started, with all funds going back to the Taieri Mouth community.
